New Year's Resolution Lean Green Smoothie

Happy New Year! I can imagine you're the same as most people around the world: you just want 2021 to be better than 2020. Well, I hope so too.

But, if there's anything 2020 taught me, it's that although we can't always control what happens to us, we can always control how we react to our circumstances.

My husband and I had many experiences throughout the year that challenged our resilience and faith, but what kept us strong was knowing we were going to make the most of what we had, together.

We learned to adapt and overcome, forgive and forget, and live and learn.

So when I was deciding what recipe to share for the first day of 2021, I not only wanted it to be healthy, but I wanted it to symbolize what we all desperately hope for: a fresh start.

Maybe our circumstances aren't changing, but our mentality is. Maybe our challenges stick around, but our fears and frustrations don't.

I think this New Year's Resolution Lean Green Smoothie fulfills both our physical and mental needs today: it's packed with heart-healthy fats and nourishing ingredients to fuel your body right, but it's also symbolizing a commitment to taking control and be intentional in the little things.

And we all need that, right?

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Ingredients for the best green smoothie

• Spinach and kale: I love buying the 5-oz. package from Walmart just for smoothies like this one. Both are packed full of plant-based protein, iron, and vitamin K! Feel free to use one or the other, or both. Either way, they are one of the key ingredients for this Lean Green Smoothie!
• Frozen Fruit Salad Blend: this is a specific bag of frozen fruit from Walmart that is perfect for this smoothie. The peaches and pineapple are a great source of vitamin C, while the red grapes and kiwi fruit add a slightly sour flavor that compliments the sweet. It's a little different, but incredibly tasty!
• Nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt: I only buy this brand of yogurt for my smoothies (well, at all really!) because it's packed with protein void of refined-sugar or artificial flavoring. Conveniently, it's also the cheapest at Walmart! Feel free to use dairy-free yogurt as well.
• Almond milk: creamy, low in in calories, and a good source of heart-healthy fats. Feel free to use any milk you like, however!
• Ripe avocado: extra creamy and full of monounsaturated fats (the good fats!), fiber, vitamin K, potassium, and folate. This superfood is key to this Lean Green Smoothie! You can learn more about the health benefits of avocados here.
• Creamy pistachios: belonging to the same family as cashews, these nuts are a great source of vitamin B6, which is key for maintaining blood sugar levels and forming hemoglobin, the vital molecule that carries oxygen in blood cells. If you don't have or don't like pistachios, chia seeds are a great alternative.
• Maple syrup: sugar-free of course! Just a touch of maple syrup adds some sweetness to this creamy smoothie. Totally optional but highly recommended.

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Why you'll love this green smoothie

First of all, this smoothie is thick, creamy, and incredibly smooth. It's not thick enough to need a spoon, but it's not thin enough that it's watery and juice-like.

It's also a great way to get a serving of fruits AND vegetables at the beginning of the day!

Did I mention there are NO BANANAS? It's rare, I know, but it what makes this green smoothie recipe the best.

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My favorite part about this Lean Green Smoothie is all the vitamins, macronutrients, and minerals that are packed inside! I spent a good amount of time balancing the nutrition profile and being really thoughtful about the specific ingredients inside.

In one 16 oz serving of this green smoothie recipe, you'll find:

• Simple carbohydrates from the fruits (click here to watch a quick Youtube video about simple carbs!)
• Natural sugars from the fruits, which means no added sugar!
• 17g of protein thanks to Oikos Triple Zero yogurt
• Nearly 11g of fiber, which is good for digestion and gut health
• Nearly 14g of monounsaturated fats, which aid in lowering LDL cholesterol and improving heart health, as well as keeping you fuller longer
• Key vitamins like vitamin A, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin K
• Key minerals like potassium, iron, and manganese
• High levels of antioxidants from the kale, pistachios, and avocado

Lastly, this smoothie is one of my more calorie-dense smoothies at 340 calories per serving, which means it's a great choice for a balanced breakfast or a post-workout recovery smoothie!

For an extra boost of protein, add one scoop of this Vanilla Whey Protein and use my discount code "KAPAI15" for a 15% discount at checkout!

More smoothie recipes to Tty

Heart-Healthy Blueberry Crisp Smoothie

Refreshing Peach Sunrise Smoothie

3-Ingredient Pina Colada Smoothie

Mixed Berry Banana Smoothie

Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Protein Packed PB & J Smoothie

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I know you guy'll love this smoothie as soon as you try it. I know green smoothies have a reputation but I promise you this one is different! It's made without bananas and packs in all the nutrients you need to fuel your body right.

If you try this recipe, I'd love to hear about it! Leave a star rating and review below so other viewers (and Google!) know how you liked it, then tag me on Instagram @kapaicooking so I can see the finished product! Happy New Year!